CONJUNCTIONS:

Conjunctions are words that link clauses or parts of sentences together so that the words flow more smoothly.

For example, 'I missed the train.  I was late for class' sounds clumsy - but it might be deliberate.  You might want a series of short, sharp sentences to give a passage a fast snappy pace or for emphasis, in which case a semi-colon is probably more appropriate - 'I missed the train; I was late for class.'  But usually the more natural way to write is - 'I missed the train so I was late for class' or 'I was late for class because I missed the train' where 'so' and 'because' are conjunctions.  On occasions, the conjunction can be used to start the sentence – 'Because I missed the train, I was late for class'.  Note here how the clause must be separated by a comma.

Clauses can also be joined by relative pronouns – which, who, whose, that, etc.  For example, 'The student, who missed the train, was late for class'.  Other examples include:

Adverb Clauses

because since as wherever		when whenever since while after before		although though even though

Because the weather was so nice, we had a picnic in the park.

He didn't get the job although he was qualified.

When you leave, don't forget to turn off the lights.

Adjective Clauses

that where		who when		whose which

John, who teaches physics, will give the speech.

He lives in the town where he was born.

The police are looking after the money that was found.

Noun Clauses

that who if		where whose whether		when what how (much, big, tired, etc.)

I don't know what I want.

They didn't realize how expensive the tickets were.

I understand that you want to change your reservation.

Exercise

Complete the gaps in the following passage using suitable conjunctions, then compare your answer by clicking here.

It was a Wednesday afternoon ..... James was just settling down to work on his assignment ..... the telephone rang. Some of the others were going to the pub ..... he still had work to complete ..... could not join them.  James was angry ..... threw his book down in temper.  "Damn it" he exclaimed! Why hadn't he started this work earlier, ..... he would have been able to go.  He knew why of course.  He didn't really understand the assignment ..... he'd been too tired to attend the lecture last week ..... now he was having to struggle to catch up.  I won't make that mistake again, ..... he knew this was probably an empty promise ..... he had often said this to himself before.